Responsible Growth
Colorado Springs is a great place to live.
Let’s keep it that way.
I believe in responsible growth for Colorado Springs. We can and should manage it in a way that preserves and enhances the quality of life for those of us who already call Colorado Springs home.
Responsible growth means balancing economic development with preserving the natural beauty and resources of the area, while also ensuring the well-being of its residents and meeting their needs for housing, transportation, and other essential services. This can involve implementing sustainable building practices, protecting green spaces, promoting alternative modes of transportation, and engaging in responsible land use planning.
I have heard from many residents of Colorado Springs who have concerns about growth in their city. Some are concerned about increased traffic congestion and the strain on infrastructure that population growth can bring. Others are concerned about rising housing costs, as more people move to the city and demand for housing increases and making attainable housing more challenging. Additionally, many residents are concerned about the loss of natural spaces and open land as development expands. Also there are concerns about the change in the city’s culture and the negative impact on the local economy. Finally, the increased pressure on resources like water, sewage and electricity are also common concerns.
Growth brings several benefits, such as:
- Creating more local jobs
- Increasing tax revenue
- Improving quality of life
- Diversifying economy
- Attracting a competitive, talented workforce
These benefits give our kids, Colorado Springs’ future, greater reason to develop their career locally. Growth can also bring new amenities, such as shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment options, improving the overall quality of life for residents. Proper planning can ensure that growth in Colorado Springs brings positive outcomes and enhances the city’s economic and social prosperity.
I will work collaboratively with locally driven, fact-based information to tackle the challenges growth brings.
ex
David's priorities for managing the growth of Colorado Springs:
- Attainable Housing: Addressing the shortage of affordable housing options for our kids, seniors, as well as our lower and middle income population. Government should not be in the business of housing development, but we can continue the work of creating policies - zoning, utilities waivers, publicly funded and locally endorsed partnerships - that help pave the way for future affordable and attainable housing developments that will enhance our community. Home ownership should be attainable for anyone who is willing to work hard for it.
- Public Safety: Ensuring the city is a safe place to live and work by investing in the police, fire and emergency services departments. We also need to address and foster other solutions that can mitigate crime that don't rely on law enforcement, such as neighbor-to-neighbor connections, and neighborhood watch groups. We have the opportunity to use certain funding channels to improve lighting in older neighborhoods and alleyway maintenance, and perhaps other environmental issues that affect crime rates.
- Economic Development: Encouraging business growth and job creation through incentives and supportive policies, while also balancing the needs of existing businesses and preserving community character.
- Smart planning: Using data, evidence-based decision-making, and robust community input to guide growth and development in ways that benefit the community as a whole.
- Sustainability: Incorporating environmentally-friendly practices and technologies in new developments and infrastructure projects to minimize the city's carbon footprint.
- Inclusiveness: Ensuring that new growth and development benefits all residents, regardless of who you are.
- Collaboration: Engaging stakeholders from the public and private sector to work together on growth and development initiatives that align with the city's goals and values.
